U.S. patent application number 12/792601 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Yong Hun CHANG, Jung Yeon HWANG, Hong Sik KWON, Seon IL YU.
Application Number | 20100307188 12/792601 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43298318 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100307188 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KWON; Hong Sik ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet
configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator. The
refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber defined by
interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs.
The refrigerator further includes a first door configured to open
and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a rotational
axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second storage
chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a
side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to
food stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door,
located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to
open and close the second storage chamber by rotating the
rotational axis, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is
identical to the rotation direction of the first door.
Inventors: |
KWON; Hong Sik; (Seoul,
KR) ; CHANG; Yong Hun; (Seoul, KR) ; HWANG;
Jung Yeon; (Seoul, KR) ; YU; Seon IL; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C. (DC)
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
43298318 |
Appl. No.: |
12/792601 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/441 ;
62/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/028 20130101;
F25D 2323/024 20130101; F25D 2400/06 20130101; F25D 2323/023
20130101; F25D 23/025 20130101; F25D 23/00 20130101; F25D 23/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/441 ;
62/449 |
International
Class: |
F25D 13/02 20060101
F25D013/02; F25D 23/02 20060101 F25D023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 3, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0049240 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet configured to define an
exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening
therein; a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the
cabinet and configured to store food stuffs; a first door
configured to open and close the first storage chamber by rotating
about a rotational axis; a second storage chamber that is smaller
than the first storage chamber defined at a side of the first door,
and that is configured to enable access to food stuffs while the
first door remains closed; and a second door, located in a
predetermined portion of the first door, configured to open and
close the second storage chamber by rotating the rotational axis,
wherein a rotation direction of the second door is identical to the
rotation direction of the first door.
2. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a rotational
shaft coupled to the first door and the second door to establish
the rotational axis.
3. The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the rotational shaft
comprises an upper rotational shaft that is coupled to the first
door and the second door.
4. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a first
rotational shaft coupled to the first door; and a second rotational
shaft coupled to the second door, wherein the first rotational
shaft and the second rotational shaft establish the rotational
axis.
5. The refrigerator of claim 2, further comprising: a first
connection member configured to connect the rotational shaft to the
cabinet.
6. The refrigerator of claim 5, further comprising: a second
connection member configured to connect the rotational shaft to the
first door.
7. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a securing part
stepped toward the cabinet and configure to secure the second
door.
8. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: a freezer
chamber located below the first storage chamber; and a third door
configured to open and close the freezer chamber.
9. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the second storage chamber
comprises a home bar.
10. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the first door comprises a
recess configured to be used as a door handle.
11. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the second door comprises:
a recess configured to be used as a door handle.
12. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a width of the second door
is substantially identical to a width of the first door.
13. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet configured to define an
exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening
therein; a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the
cabinet and configured to store food stuffs; a first door
configured to open and close the first storage chamber by rotating
about a first rotational axis; a second storage chamber that is
smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a side of the
first door, and that is configured to enable access to food stuffs
while the first door remains closed; and a second door, located in
a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to open and
close the second storage chamber by rotating a second rotational
axis, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is identical
to the rotation direction of the first door, and the first
rotational axis is parallel to the second rotational axis.
14. The refrigerator of claim 13, further comprising: a first
rotational shaft coupled to the first door and configured to
establish the first rotational axis; and a second rotational shaft
coupled to the second door and configured to establish the second
rotational axis.
15. The refrigerator of claim 14, further comprising: a connection
member configured to connect the first rotational shaft to the
cabinet.
16. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein a width of the second
door is substantially identical to a width of the first door.
17. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the first rotational axis
and the second rotational axis are substantially same.
18. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet configured to define an
exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening
therein; a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the
cabinet and configured to store food stuffs; a first door
configured to open and close the first storage chamber by rotating
about a rotational axis; a second storage chamber that is smaller
than the first storage chamber defined at a side of the first door,
and that is configured to enable access to food stuffs while the
first door remains closed; a second door, located in a
predetermined portion of the first door, configured to open and
close the second storage chamber by rotating the rotational axis or
substantially same rotational axis of the first door, wherein a
rotation direction of the second door is identical to the rotation
direction of the first door. a first connection member is
configured to connect the first door to the cabinet; and a second
connection member is connected to the second door to the first
door.
19. The refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the second connection
member comprises a hinge.
20. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet configured to define an
exterior boundary of the refrigerator with at least one opening
therein; a first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the
cabinet and configured to store food stuffs; a first door
configured to open and close the first storage chamber by rotating
about a plurality of first rotational axes; a second storage
chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a
side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to
food stuffs while the first door remains closed; and a second door,
located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to
open and close the second storage chamber by rotating a plurality
second rotational axes, wherein the first door and second door have
at least one identical rotational axis.
21. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein the plurality of
rotational axis comprises; a first rotational axis positioned at a
left side of the first door and second door; and a second
rotational axis positioned at a right side of the first door and
the second door.
22. The refrigerator of claim 21, wherein the first rotational axis
configured to open and close the first door and the second door at
a identical direction.
23. The refrigerator of claim 20, wherein the second door
comprises: a recess configured to be used as a door handle and
configured to open the second door in more than one rotation
directions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean
Application No. 10-2009-0049240, filed on Jun. 3, 2009, which is
hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirely.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator
structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Refrigerators have at least one storage chamber for storing
food stuffs and the storage chambers are selectively closed by
doors. In general, such a storage chamber may be classified into a
freezer chamber and a refrigerator chamber, and refrigerators may
be classified into several types based on freezer/refrigerator
chamber arrangement, door appearance or door closing structure.
[0004] Typically, a predetermined space for preserving food stuffs
is defined by a door. For example, a door basket having a
predetermined space is provided in the door to preserve food stuffs
contained in relatively tall containers, for example, bottles. A
user opens the door to put or take the food stuffs into or out of
the door basket defined the door. That is, the door basket is
accessible from an inner side of the door. Another type of food
storage space provided in the door is a storage chamber commonly
called as a home bar. Such the storage chamber, namely, a home bar
is in the door and it is accessible from an outer side of the door
via an auxiliary door additionally provided in the door. That is,
without opening the door, the user opens the auxiliary door to put
or take in or out food stuffs provided in the door storage
chamber.
[0005] The conventional refrigerator may have limitation of
enlarging the size of the door storage chamber. Also, the
conventional refrigerator may have a relatively complicated
coupling structure of an auxiliary door coupled to the door to open
and close the door storage chamber.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet configured
to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator. The
refrigerator also includes a first storage chamber defined by
interior walls of the cabinet and configured to store food stuffs.
The refrigerator further includes a first door configured to open
and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a rotational
axis. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second storage
chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a
side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to
food stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door,
located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to
open and close the second storage chamber by rotating the
rotational axis, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is
identical to the rotation direction of the first door.
[0007] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the refrigerator further includes a
rotational shaft coupled to the first door and the second door to
establish the rotational axis. The rotational shaft includes an
upper rotational shaft that is coupled to the first door and the
second door. The refrigerator further includes a first rotational
shaft coupled to the first door and a second rotational shaft
coupled to the second door, wherein the first rotational shaft and
the second rotational shaft establish the rotational axis.
[0008] In some examples, the refrigerator of claim further includes
a first connection member configured to connect the rotational
shaft to the cabinet. The refrigerator further includes a second
connection member configured to connect the rotational shaft to the
first door. The refrigerator further includes a securing part
stepped toward the cabinet and configure to secure the second
door.
[0009] The refrigerator further includes a freezer chamber located
below the first storage chamber and a third door configured to open
and close the freezer chamber. The second storage chamber comprises
a home bar. The first door includes a recess configured to be used
as a door handle. The second door includes a recess configured to
be used as a door handle. A width of the second door is
substantially identical to a width of the first door.
[0010] In another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet
configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with
at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a
first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and
configured to store food stuffs and a first door configured to open
and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a first
rotational axis. The refrigerator further includes a second storage
chamber that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a
side of the first door, and that is configured to enable access to
food stuffs while the first door remains closed. In addition, the
refrigerator includes a second door, located in a predetermined
portion of the first door, configured to open and close the second
storage chamber by rotating a second rotational axis, wherein a
rotation direction of the second door is identical to the rotation
direction of the first door, and the first rotational axis is
parallel to the second rotational axis.
[0011] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the refrigerator further includes a first
rotational shaft coupled to the first door and configured to
establish the first rotational axis and a second rotational shaft
coupled to the second door and configured to establish the second
rotational axis. The refrigerator further includes a connection
member configured to connect the first rotational shaft to the
cabinet.
[0012] In some examples, a width of the second door is
substantially identical to a width of the first door. The first
rotational axis and the second rotational axis are substantially
same.
[0013] In yet another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet
configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with
at least one opening therein. The refrigerator also includes a
first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and
configured to store food stuffs and a first door configured to open
and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a rotational
axis. The refrigerator further includes a second storage chamber
that is smaller than the first storage chamber defined at a side of
the first door, and that is configured to enable access to food
stuffs while the first door remains closed and a second door,
located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to
open and close the second storage chamber by rotating the
rotational axis or substantially same rotational axis of the first
door, wherein a rotation direction of the second door is identical
to the rotation direction of the first door. In addition, the
refrigerator includes a first connection member is configured to
connect the first door to the cabinet and a second connection
member is connected to the second door to the first door.
[0014] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, The second connection member comprises a
hinge.
[0015] In a further aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet
configured to define an exterior boundary of the refrigerator with
at least one opening therein and the refrigerator also includes a
first storage chamber defined by interior walls of the cabinet and
configured to store food stuffs and a first door configured to open
and close the first storage chamber by rotating about a plurality
of first rotational axes. The refrigerator further includes a
second storage chamber that is smaller than the first storage
chamber defined at a side of the first door, and that is configured
to enable access to food stuffs while the first door remains
closed. In addition, the refrigerator includes a second door,
located in a predetermined portion of the first door, configured to
open and close the second storage chamber by rotating a plurality
second rotational axes, wherein the first door and second door have
at least one identical rotational axis.
[0016] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the plurality of rotational axis includes a
first rotational axis positioned at a left side of the first door
and second door and a second rotational axis positioned at a right
side of the first door and the second door. The first rotational
axis configured to open and close the first door and the second
door at a identical direction. The second door includes a recess
configured to be used as a door handle and configured to open the
second door in more than one rotation directions.
[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a refrigerator in a state of a
first storage chamber being opened;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the refrigerator in a state of
a second storage chamber being opened;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal-sectional view of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first door and a second
door of the refrigerator, in a state of being opened;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a refrigerator;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal-sectional view; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a refrigerator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to various
implementations of the present technology, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0026] As follows, a refrigerator according to an exemplary
implementation will be described in reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0027] In reference to FIG. 1, an overall structure of the
refrigerator will be described. A side by side type refrigerator is
embodied to describe the present disclosure as an example.
[0028] A first storage chamber 12 is defined in a cabinet 10 of the
refrigerator 1 to preserve food stuffs therein. The first storage
chamber 12 may include a freezer chamber 12b and a refrigerator
chamber 12a. The freezer chamber 12b and the refrigerator chamber
12a may be arranged horizontally, that is, side by side.
[0029] A first door 20 is defined in a front surface of the cabinet
10 to selectively open and close the first storage chamber 12. A
second storage chamber 40 is defined in the first door 20 to
preserve food stuffs therein, and the second chamber 40 is
selectively opened and closed by a second door 30.
[0030] Each of the above configurations will be described in detail
as follows.
[0031] The first storage chamber 12 defined in the cabinet 10 of
the refrigerator 1 is partitioned into the freezer chamber 12b and
the refrigerator chamber 12a by a partition wall 14. Here, at least
one shelf and drawer may be installed in the first storage chamber
12.
[0032] The second storage chamber 40 is defined in the first door
20, and it has a predetermined space to preserve food stuffs. The
second storage chamber 40 is configured to surround the
predetermined space. That is, the second storage chamber 40 has the
predetermined space positioned inside of the first door 20 and the
second chamber 40 is accessible from an outside of the first door
20. In this implementation, the second storage chamber 40 is
accessible through an inside of the first door 20. The second
storage chamber 40 is also accessible via a second door 30 coupled
to the outer surface of the first door 20. Another type of storage
space, for example, a door basket 25 may be defined in the inside
of the first door 20, different from the second storage chamber 40.
The door basket 25 is accessible from the inner side of the first
door 20. In this implementation, the door basket 25 is not
accessible via the second door 30, and therefore, the door basket
25 may be accessible after the first door 20 is opened.
[0033] In some examples, the second storage chamber 40 is typically
a predetermined surrounded space and it may include a structure
capable of receiving cold air. The second storage chamber 40 may
include a first communication part 46 in communication with the
first storage chamber 12 such that cold air of the first storage
chamber 12 is supplied to the second storage chamber 40. To supply
the cold air to the second storage chamber 40, a fan may positioned
around the first communication part 40. In this implementation, the
first communication part 46 may block supplying the cold air to the
second storage chamber 40 when a temperature in the second storage
chamber 40 is determined to be lower than a predetermined
temperature. A second communication part 48, in direct
communication with an end of a cold air duct 18 positioned on the
partition wall 14 of the cabinet 10, may be defined in the second
storage chamber 40. The second communication part 48 defines at
least one passage that the cold air passes through.
[0034] In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first door and the second
door will be described in detail.
[0035] The first door 20 includes a securing part 21 recessed
toward the cabinet 10 and the second door 30 may be secured in the
securing part 21. A step 29 stepped toward the cabinet 10 is
defined in a predetermined portion of the first door 20, for
example, approximately a middle portion of the first door in FIGS.
2 and 3.
[0036] The appearance of the second door 30 may be corresponding to
the appearance of the first door 20, although it may be otherwise
configured. In some examples, the width of the second door 30 may
be substantially identical to the width of the first door 20 and
the height of the second door 30 may be changeable. And, the
thickness of the second door 30 may be identical to the thickness
of the securing part 21. In this implementation, although the
position or the height of the second door 30 defined in a
predetermined portion of the first door 20 is changed or adjusted,
a user recognizes the second door 30 as the first door 20 itself or
a part of the first door 20, such that beauty of the refrigerator 1
may not be damaged.
[0037] In the implementation, a first recess 26 which is recessed
inward, may be located in a predetermined portion of the first door
20, for example, between a lower surface of the second door 30 and
a coupling part 24 that is ratably coupled to the first door. A
second recess 28 recessed downward from the first recess 26 may be
located in the first door 20. A third recess 36 recessed upward
from a lower surface of the second door 30, which is adjacent to
the first recess 26, may be located in the second door 30. This
configuration allows the second and third recesses 28 and 36 to
function as handles for the first and second doors, respectively,
and thus auxiliary handles do not needed in the first and second
doors 20 and 30.
[0038] A projection part 34, projected upward, is defined in the
second door 30 and a gasket 35 may be coupled to a circumstance of
the projection part 34 for sealing the second door 30.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, a coupling and rotation structure of the
first door and the second door will be described. As an example,
the second door 30 is secured in the securing part 21 of the first
door 20.
[0040] The first door 20 selectively opens and closes the first
storage chamber 12, and the second door 30 selectively opens and
closes the second storage chamber 40 defined in the first door 20.
In this implementation, a rotational direction of the first door 20
is identical to that of the second door 30. For example, the first
door 20 is rotatable with respect to a vertical shaft in the
conventional refrigerator and the second door 30 is also rotatable
with respect to the vertical shaft.
[0041] If the rotational direction of the first door 20 is
identical to that of the second door 30, a rotational radius of the
conventional refrigerator 1 may be determined based on the first
door 20 for opening and closing the first storage chamber. As a
result, the user should arrange the refrigerator without any
obstacles placed in the rotational radius of the first door 20.
Also, if the rotational direction of the second door 30 is
identical to that of the first door, it may be possible to increase
the size of the second storage chamber defined in the first door
20. Also, if the rotational directions of the first and second
doors 20 and 30 are identical, the sealing structure between the
first and second doors 20 and 30 may be applicable to the sealing
structure between the cabinet 10 and the first door 20.
[0042] In this implementation, the rotational shaft of the first
door 20 is parallel to the rotational shaft of the second door 30.
The rotational shafts of the first and second doors 20 and 30 are
located on the same line, such that only a single rotational shaft
may be used to simplify an assembly structure of the refrigerator
1. Alternatively, in one implementation, the rotational shafts of
the first and second doors 20 and 30 may be located at opposite
side. For example, the first rotational shaft for the first door 20
is located at a right side of the refrigerator while the second
rotational shaft for the second door 30 is located at a left side
in case that the refrigerator 1 is not the side by side type.
Therefore, the user can open the first door 20 in a first rotation
direction in which the first door 20 rotates with respect to the
rotational shaft in the right side. Also, the user can open the
second door 30 in a second rotation direction which is opposite of
the first rotation direction in which the second door 30 rotates
with respect to the rotational shaft located in the left side.
[0043] Furthermore, the first door 20 and the second door 30 can
share the rotational shafts so that the user can open the first
door 20 and the second door 30 in both directions. For example, if
the user pull the right side of the first door 20, the first door
20 is rotated with respect to the rotational shaft located in the
left side, and if the user pull the left side of the second door
30, the second door 30 is rotated with respect to the rotational
shaft located in the right side. In this implementation, the
rotational shafts located in the right side and the left side,
respectively can be shared by the first door 20 and the second door
30, the user can open the first door 30 and the door any rotational
directions whatever the user wants. In this case, the second and
third recesses 28 and 36 employed as handles as shown in FIG. 3 may
be recessed from the left side to entirely or left and right
sides.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 4, an upper structure to selectively open
the first door 20 and the second door 30 includes a first
connection member 110, a second connection member 120 and a
rotational shaft 130.
[0045] An end of a first connection member 110 is coupled to an
upper surface 14 of the cabinet 10 and the other end of the
connection member 110 is connected to an upper surface of the
second door 30 through the medium of the rotational shaft 130. An
end of a second connection member 120 is coupled to an upper
surface of the first door 20 and the other end of the second
connection member 120 is connected to the upper surface of the
second door 30 through the medium of the same upper rotational
shaft 130. In this implementation, the second connection member 120
may be located below the first connection member 110. As a result,
the upper rotational shaft 130 is employed as a common rotational
shaft for the first and second doors 20 and 30.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 3, a rotational shaft 132 for a lower
portion of the second door 30 to open and close is defined in a
lower surface of the second door 30. The lower rotational shaft 132
is connected to the coupling part 24 as shown in FIG. 2. The
coupling part 24 may be defined in the securing part 21 of the
first door 20. A rotational shaft 134 for a lower portion of the
first door 20 is defined in a lower surface of the first door 20
and the lower rotational shaft 134 is connected to a lower surface
of the cabinet 10 by a third connection member 140, as shown in
FIG. 4.
[0047] FIG. 4(a) shows a configuration of the upper structure in a
close state of the first and second doors 20 and 30.
[0048] FIG. 4(b) shows a configuration of the upper structure in a
open state of the second door 30. A user can open the second door
30 to approach to the second storage chamber 40 defined in the
first door 20. If the user pulls only the second door 30 in a
forward direction by using the handle 36 as shown in FIG. 1, the
second door 30 is rotated with respect to the common upper
rotational shaft 130 and the lower rotational shaft 132 as shown in
FIG. 3, while the first door 20 not opened, and the second storage
chamber 40 is thus opened.
[0049] FIG. 4(c) shows a configuration of the upper structure in a
open state of the first door 20. The user can open the first door
20 to approach to the first storage chamber 12. If the user pulls
the first door 20 forward by using the handle 28 as shown in FIG.
1, the first and second doors are rotated together with respect to
the common upper rotational shaft 130 and the lower first door
rotational shaft 134 as shown in FIG. 3 and then the first storage
chamber 12 is opened. In this implementation, the second connection
member 120 is rotated such that the first and the second doors 20
and 30 can rotate together. As an example, FIG. 5 shows a handle 27
for opening and closing the first door 20 and a handle 37 for
opening and closing the second door positioned on outer surfaces of
the first and second doors 20 and 30, respectively. As mentioned in
the description, a recess used as a handle may be defined in the
first and second doors, respectively.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, this implementation is similar to the
previous implementation for example, two door structure, but, the
structure to selectively open the first door 20 and the second door
30 is modified. For example, appearance of the securing part 21a of
the first door 20 is modified. As shown in FIG. 3, in the previous
implementation, an upper portion of the securing part 21 of the
first door 20 is exposed such that the upper surfaces of the first
and second doors 20 and 30 are at an identical level. In this
implementation, a projection part 39 is defined in an upper portion
of the first door 20 to rotatably couple the upper surface of the
second door 30 to a lower surface of the projection part 39. As a
result, the upper surface of the second door 20 is located under
the projection part 39 of the first door 20.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of rotational shafts for the
first door 139 may be defined in the first door 20 and a pair of
rotational shafts for the second door 138 may be defined in the
second door 30. The first door rotational shaft 139 and the second
door rotational shaft 138 are parallel but offset.
[0052] In some implementations, the first door rotational shaft 139
and the second door rotational shaft 138 may be located at the same
shaft line. In this case, the upper rotational shaft of the first
door 139 and the upper rotational shaft of the second door 138 may
be on the same rotational shaft line.
[0053] In case of the door structure as shown FIG. 6, a hinge
structure may be installed in inner surfaces of the first and
second doors 20 and 30, instead of the rotational shaft 138 of the
second door 30.
[0054] The side by side type refrigerator is presented to describe
the implementations and so, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto. The present disclosure is applicable to a top freezer type
having a freezer chamber placed on a refrigerator chamber or a
bottom freezer type having a freezer chamber arranged under a
refrigerator chamber. Referring to FIG. 7, the present disclosure
may be applicable to a refrigerator having the refrigerator chamber
arranged in the upper portion of the cabinet and the freezer
chamber defined in the lower portion of the cabinet. In this
implementation, the first door 20 selectively opens and closes the
refrigerator chamber and the second selectively opens and closes a
portion of the refrigerator chamber, for example, a home bar. In
this implementation, a sliding door 90 is located below the first
door 20 to selectively open and close the freezer chamber.
[0055] Further, the present disclosure may be applicable to a
refrigerator having a closable freezer chamber that is a drawer
type and a refrigerator chamber having a pair of doors opened and
closed with respect to a pair of vertical shafts.
[0056] In addition, the appearance of the first door is
corresponding to that of the second door. For example, the width of
the first door is identical to the width of the second door and the
length of the second door is smaller than the length of the first
door. Since the width of the first door 20 and the second door 30
is identical, the rotation width of the first door 20 and the
second door 30 also may be identical.
[0057] Further, the present disclosure may be applicable to a case
in that both of the width and the height of the second door may be
smaller than those of the first door.
[0058] It will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. For
example, advantageous results still could be achieved if steps of
the disclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or
if components in the disclosed systems were combined in a different
manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components.
Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the
following claims.
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